I strongly support the bill SB512, which proposes to designate "Raise Up" by Petey Pablo as the official Hip Hop song of North Carolina. This endorsement highlights the song's significance and cultural impact within the state's musical heritage.

Paige Sullivan, a North Carolina parent, urges the committee to reconsider House Bill 636, which risks removing valuable educational materials from school libraries based on a limited number of objections. She emphasizes the importance of trust in educators, transparency, and diverse perspectives, advocating for a balanced approach that respects all parents and protects children's understanding of the world.

The writer expresses that quality writing demands significant effort, often requiring hours of editing for every minute of reading time. To streamline communication, they plan to transition the blog into a supplementary resource, with primary content released as a podcast. Links and transcriptions will be provided on the blog.

On April 8th, I began my Summer of Advocacy 2025 by visiting the NC Legislature to engage with representatives about detrimental bills like H791 and S516. I met with Rep. Sarah Crawford and Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, emphasizing citizen involvement. I also attempted to speak with Sen. Overcash but was unsuccessful. I returned on April 9th for further discussions.

Paige Sullivan, a transgender resident of North Carolina and former classmate of Senator Overcash, expresses her concerns regarding bills SB 516 and SB 227. She highlights the harmful implications of these laws on transgender rights and historical education, urging the senator to choose compassion and fairness instead of restrictive legislation.

On April 8th, I'm preparing for meetings with a district Representative and Senator, while hoping to connect with Senator Brad Overcash. I plan to leave an op-ed copy and closely monitor the bathroom bill's progress. Despite low expectations, the day aims to provide insight into political processes and foster future engagement.

If Senate Bill 516 and House Bill 791 are passed, changes to birth certificates and driver's licenses may not be available after October 1, 2025. Currently, both can be updated with proper documentation, including the NC DL 300 for driver’s licenses and a Birth Certificate Modification Application, ideally accompanied by a notarized statement from a health care provider.